Burnout: What is it?

Burnout is a term that is often used to describe a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that can occur as a result of prolonged stress. It is a common experience for people in high-pressure jobs, such as healthcare workers, teachers, and executives, but it can affect anyone who is dealing with chronic stress. Burnout can be a debilitating condition that can lead to feelings of hopelessness, detachment, and cynicism, and it can have serious consequences for both physical and mental health Whether you are currently experiencing burnout or are interested in learning more about this important topic, this blog post will provide you with valuable information and insights that you can use to take better care of yourself and those around you. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of burnout.

The majority of people have dealt with work-related stress at some point in their life, and when it is controlled, it may be beneficial. Burnout, however, can result when this amount of stress becomes intolerable. Burnout is a sickness that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is brought on by “chronic working stress that has not been adequately handled” and is distinguished by a lack of energy, negative feelings or detachment from one’s job, and a decline in professional success (World Health Organization, 2019).

Burnout can have a negative effect on our health in addition to having possible bad repercussions at work. According to studies, those who suffer burnout are more susceptible to major mental illness and cardiovascular disease (Maslach and Leiter, 2016).

Changes in sleep and eating patterns, irritability, and muscle tension are a few of the prevalent physical symptoms of burnout (Barello, 2020)

How does Inquiry Talk address work-related stress and burnout?

Coping Skills

The failure to control occupational pressures leads to burnout. You can acquire the abilities and resources required to successfully deal with and tolerate these challenges with the aid of our therapists at Unqzure Talk. Your therapists can assist you in developing powerful coping mechanisms because they are skilled in a range of psychotherapy procedures. Your therapist might be able to help you by demonstrating various relaxation techniques to you. Diaphragmatic breathing is a typical method because it activates the parasympathetic nerve system, the area of the body responsible for rest and relaxation (Chen et al., 2016). Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), which helps lower muscle tension to encourage sensations of relaxation, is another often utilized relaxation technique (Lanier, 1930).

Your therapist can teach you distress tolerance skills, which can help you control the challenging feelings you could encounter as a result of work stress, in addition to relaxation techniques. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), a type of behavioral treatment that places a strong emphasis on equipping patients with practical skills to help them manage challenging situations and emotions, is where distress tolerance skills originate.

Distress tolerance skills come in many forms, such as self-soothing techniques, crisis survival skills, and distraction strategies. These are only a few of the techniques your therapist can teach you to help you better handle work-related stress.

Mindfulness Practice

According to research, mindfulness can work as a defense mechanism against it. “Paying attention in a certain way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally,” according to Jon Kabat Zinn, is what is meant by the term mindfulness. Although many people confuse mindfulness with meditation, they are not the same.

Meditation is one setting where mindfulness can be used, among other places. But you can also practice mindfulness in more fleeting moments throughout the day, like when you’re eating or cleaning. Therapists can assist you in creating a mindfulness practice that suits your requirements and way of living because they use a variety of mindfulness approaches in their work.

Skills and Assertiveness

According to research, a heavy workload without enough downtime is one of the main predictors of burnout. Assertiveness training, which is a part of behavioral therapy, can help you learn the skills needed to advocate for a fair workload. Moreover, studies have shown that possessing assertiveness abilities can help prevent burnout.

According to studies, assertiveness training can enhance interpersonal connections as well as one’s resilience, self-esteem, and contentment in one’s relationships. As they have experience leading assertiveness training, therapists will not only give you advice on how to sharpen your assertiveness skills but will also act out scenarios with you during sessions so you may practice them in a risk-free setting.

Is it depression or burnout?

Studies have shown that depression and burnout have a strong overlap. Although burnout isn’t a recognized psychological condition, its symptoms are comparable to those of depressive illnesses. Depressed mood, loss of enjoyment in formerly appreciated activities, insomnia or hypersomnia, major changes in weight or appetite, and sensations of lethargy and exhaustion are some of the main signs and symptoms of depression.

You should seek evaluation and treatment from a mental health professional if you recognize these symptoms in yourself and discover that they are significantly distressing you or impairing your ability to function. Depressive disorders including Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder can be evaluated for, diagnosed, and treated by our therapists (Dysthymia).

With the help of evidence-based therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), your therapist will collaborate with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your requirements.

Suggestion for read: Can affordable online counselling UK actually help you?

Burnout is a serious condition that affects many people across various professions and lifestyles. It can lead to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, as well as negative feelings like hopelessness and cynicism. Understanding the symptoms and causes of burnout is crucial in preventing and managing the condition. By prioritizing self-care and taking steps to reduce stress, individuals can protect themselves from burnout and maintain their well-being.

It’s important to remember that burnout is not a sign of weakness or failure, but rather a normal response to prolonged stress. By seeking support and taking care of ourselves, we can overcome burnout and continue to lead fulfilling and productive lives. Overall, by raising awareness about burnout and providing strategies to address it, we can help individuals and organizations create healthier, more supportive environments that promote well-being and productivity.

Here are few certified therapists who you can get in touch and book a therapy session with:

Kevin Tennant

Liz

Laura Dee